Johannesburg -
Cosatu president Sidumo Dlamini on Wednesday declined to comment on a letter the trade union federation's general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi sent to him and affiliates regarding Numsa's expulsion.
Dlamini said the Congress of SA Trade Unions would issue a statement on the matter.
In the letter, addressed to Dlamini, affiliate general secretaries and provincial secretaries, Vavi said he was not able to defend a decision taken by the central executive committee to expel the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa).
Numsa was expelled at the Cosatu central executive committee (CEC) meeting which ran into the early hours of Saturday morning.
The union gave a presentation defending itself against charges of contravening Cosatu's constitution, but was ousted in the end by 33 votes to 24.
Vavi has been silent on Numsa's expulsion except for comments on social networking site Twitter.
Numsa was a strong ally and supporter of Vavi.
Vavi, in the letter, said the ousting of Numsa would have “momentous implications” for Cosatu.
“I am ready to admit that at times I have had to articulate views that contradicted my own, but always with the firm belief that they were arrived at democratically and therefore have had to serve as a disciplined cadre,” he said.
“However, the magnitude of the decision that was taken by the special CEC is not only of historical importance but has momentous implications.”
He said the future of workers was at stake.
“From that point of view I plead with you to understand that I will not be able to defend a decision that I honestly believe is contradicting and undermining organised workers and broader working class unity, a decision that will have momentous implications for years to come.”
Sapa